Apoptosis in Cancer

Dear Colleagues,

During carcinogenesis, cancer cells create a permissive environment for genetic instability and accumulation of gene mutations. These alterations lead to defects in survival or death signalling pathways which enable cancer cells to continuous proliferation and growth without a proper control. Apoptosis is the major form of cell death and life control. The avoidance of apoptosis is a well-known strategy for cancer cells to survive. Therefore, therapies that promote pro-apoptotic molecules or/and inhibit anti-apoptotic ones have been regarded as attractive approaches for the development of effective cancer treatments.  In fact, most anti-cancer agents currently used in clinics including chemotherapy and radiotherapy have been linked to activation of apoptotic pathways in cancer cells.  However, the efficacy of the treatment is frequently unsatisfactory mainly due to two issues. Firstly the cancer cells are often able to develop some mechanisms to counteract the pro-apoptotic pathway induced, and such the resistance may become stronger after a period of exposure to anticancer agents.  Secondly, anticancer agents can also result in the death of non-cancer cells, causing significant side-effects that limit the dose or length of anticancer agents used. We hope that articles in this special issue will address current problems in apoptosis in cancers, helping our understanding the apoptotic mechanism in cancer and improving the strategy to induce apoptosis of cancer cells.  

Dr.  George G Chen and Dr.  Michael CF Tong
Guest Editors

Manuscripts should be submitted via our online editorial system at https://imr.propub.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to start your submission. Manuscripts can be submitted now or up until the deadline. All papers will go through peer-review process. Accepted papers will be published in the journal (as soon as accepted) and meanwhile listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, reviews as well as short communications are preferred. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office to announce on this website.

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